Griffin
Goes Golden with Le
Mans Drive
-
Ireland
Represented
in 24 Hour Race After Thirteen Year Absence -
One
of Ireland ’s youngest international racers, Matthew Griffin,
will contest the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in June with the full
works Morgan Aero 8. Griffin , who is the first Irish racer
in thirteen years to participate in the Le Mans , is also
the youngest Irish competitor to enter the prestigious event.
At 21 years of age, the Corkman is relishing the chance
to race in front of a world-wide audience of fans and influential
industry figures.
“I
am absolutely delighted, it is the opportunity of a lifetime
which I intend to grab with both hands,” said Griffin .
“The Le Mans 24 hours is a race I have always dreamt of
competing in, but I could never have imagined it would happen
so early in my career. My aim is to make an impact at Le
Mans, it will be a learning experience but I am determined
to put in a good performance and ultimately finish the race.”
Griffin
began racing at the young age of 11, when he started out
with cadet class- karting . His enthusiasm and dedication
for the sport grew over the years, garnishing him a number
of awards. Wins in the British Formula A Karting Championship,
were followed by a move to single- seater racing, with Manor
Motorsport in the British Formula Renault Championship,
viewed by many as the training ground for the F1 stars of
the future. With two years of Formula Renault experience
under his belt and a very successful campaign in the British
Formula Renault Championship last year, Griffin has certainly
secured his place among the top of the list in Ireland ’s
new young racing talent. 2003 proves to be an even more
exciting year for Griffin with the Le Mans 24 hour race.
Griffin
also thanked Morgan and his sponsors, adding “I am extremely
hopeful about our prospects and appreciate the faith that
the Morgan Motor Company has placed in me, it is a great
compliment. I am also eternally grateful to my sponsors,
Donoghue Packaging, O' Mahoney Sand and Gravel, AOC Commercials,
Lormac Packaging, John McCarthy
Motorpoint
and Micro Bio, as well as my supporters club, I wouldn’t
be where I am today without them.”
The
Aero 8 made a comeback to Le Mans last year, which marked
Morgan’s first Le Mans appearance since 1962 when they won
the race. The driving honors this year will be shared between
Matt Griffin, Martin Short and Charles Morgan, third generation
of his family to run the legendary British independent sports
car company.
“This
is a fantastic opportunity for the Morgan Motor Company,
and for me personally. Very few people are fortunate enough
to drive at Le Mans in a car carrying their own name, and
I am absolutely delighted to have the chance to do so in
such illustrious company. Matt and Martin bring great energy,
flair and experience to the team, and I know we’ll all do
our best to prove that the Aero 8 is one of the world’s
great sports cars,” comments Charles Morgan.
An
extensive test programme under the expert guidance of Christopher
Lawrence, Team Morgan’s Technical Consultant, is scheduled
for March, with an initial shake down test in the UK before
moving to France , where both car and driver will be put
through their paces. Griffin also intends to undertake a
campaign with the Morgan Aero 8 in the 2003 British GT championship
starting early April. Plans are currently being finalised
and will be announced shortly.
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